{"product_id":"preorder-kato-176-1209s-n-emd-f3b-western-pacific-dcc-sound-equipped","title":"[PREORDER] Kato 176-1209S N EMD F3B, Western Pacific (DCC Sound Equipped)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePREORDERS FOR THIS PRODUCT WILL CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 29th, 2026\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eEstimated delivery date for this product is approximately Early 2027. Pre-Order item delivery dates may change without notice, and are not controlled by Southern Crescent Hobby.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis item is equipped with a pre-installed DCC Sound decoder. Product description courtesy of Kato USA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"side-content-wrap col-12 col-lg-5 col-xl-4 mt-5 mt-lg-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"box-wrap box background-green-dark br-2 p-3\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"wysiwyg color-white\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrototype Information:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe F-Unit is probably the most recognized diesel locomotive in North American history. It was found on railroads from East to West and North to South. Eastern railroads favored a “Single Headlight” version of the F3, while Western railroads favored a “Dual Headlight” version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eF3 locomotives were used in both freight and passenger service. For passenger service, it was necessary for the locomotives to have a Steam Generator to provide heat and electricity in the passenger cars. In later years, many F3 locomotives originally intended for passenger services were downgraded to freight duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eModel Information:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kato EMD F3 comes in both A and B (cabless) variations. All current variations of the F-unit locomotive chassis are DCC friendly. Passenger units are commonly identified by their Steam Generators vs. freight units which lack this detail. The 2014 run of CB\u0026amp;Q Freight F3’s have a number of passenger features, such as the straight pilot, as they began their life as locomotives pulling the California Zephyr before being repainted and repurposed as freight locomotives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"box-title color-white\"\u003eModel Features:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"wysiwyg color-white\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"content\"\u003eDCC friendly mechanism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"content\"\u003eA-unit LED has directional headlights and illuminated number boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"content\"\u003eLocomotives have a powerful five pole motor with all wheel electrical pickup and blackened wheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"content\"\u003eKATO magnetic knuckle couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"content\"\u003eDrop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K0D8 series and Digitrax DN163K0B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e-\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe California Zephyr is one of the most famous passenger trains of the 20th Century. This legendary service began on March 19th, 1949, heading eastbound to Chicago. It came to be known as the “best way to travel” between Chicago and San Francisco. The 2,532-mile run was also regarded as one of the most scenic routes across the United States. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis train would run through the beautiful landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and Feather River during daylight hours. The scenic views would be the selling point of the journey, as the train ride would take longer than the City of San Francisco. The California Zephyr was operated as a shared effort among the CB\u0026amp;Q, D\u0026amp;RGW, and Western Pacific railroads and, as such, was made up of a mix of cars provided by the three roads and was pulled by different sets of locomotives through the three main legs of its journey. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003eKato has announced a full suite of California Zephyr sets and locomotives, each sold separately:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e106-058 - N CB\u0026amp;Q E8A, California Zephyr 4 Unit Starter Series Set\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003ePassenger cars also available with pre-installed lighting and locomotive available with DCC or DCC Sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e106-059 - N CB\u0026amp;Q California Zephyr 8-Car Add-On Set\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eAlso available with pre-installed lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e176-5102 - N E8A CB\u0026amp;Q No. 9942B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e106-0506 - N PA-1, PB-1 2 Locomotive Set D\u0026amp;RGW No. 6001\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e176-4123 - N PA-1 D\u0026amp;RGW No. 6003\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e106-0307 - F3A, F3B 2 Locomotive Set WP No. 801\/801B\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003e176-1209 - N F3B WP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"auto\"\u003eLocomotives also available with DCC or DCC Sound pre-installed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePREORDER INFORMATION\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a Pre-Order item. After you commit to pre-ordering an item, Southern Crescent Hobby will place an order on your behalf with our supplier network. Some time before we are due to receive your pre-ordered item(s), we will issue you an invoice for the remaining balance of your order including any applicable shipping charges and taxes. Your order will be shipped as soon as possible once the balance is paid and all items have arrived at our warehouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information on pre-orders,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/southerncrescenthobby.com\/pages\/pre-order-information\" title=\"Pre-Order Information\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eclick here to view our full Pre-Order Policy.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kato","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52692323664157,"sku":"KAT176-1209S PREORDER","price":239.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0961\/6284\/0861\/files\/kato1761209.jpg?v=1786135340","url":"https:\/\/southerncrescenthobby.com\/products\/preorder-kato-176-1209s-n-emd-f3b-western-pacific-dcc-sound-equipped","provider":"Southern Crescent Hobby","version":"1.0","type":"link"}